Liverpool vs Manchester City - Analysis, Forecasts, and Top Wagers
Rewritten Article:
Hype's at an all-time high as Liverpool and Manchester City square off this Sunday in a Premier League showdown. With the Reds riding high on a 14-win streak in their last 15 matches, and City struggling with five losses in their last six, this could be the game to seal the deal for Liverpool in the title race, potentially giving them an 11-point lead over the reigning champions.
Liverpool's Winning Streak
Liverpool's been on fire, boasting a 10-win record in 12 Premier League games and remaining undefeated in the Champions League. Their only slip-up came in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, but since then, they've run off six straight wins. They kicked things off with a Leauge Cup victory over Brighton (3-2) and followed it up with a 2-1 league win in their rematch against the Seagulls. They then dismantled Bayer Leverkusen (4-0) in their Champions League clash, showcasing an impressive second-half performance. They continued their winning streak against Aston Villa (2-0) before securing a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory at Southampton. Their latest triumph came against Real Madrid in midweek, with a 2-0 win built on 63% possession and six big chances created.
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Liverpool's Injury Report
Manager Arne Slot will be missing key players Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas, Diogo Jota, and Federico Chiesa for this fixture. Alexander-Arnold may potentially earn a spot on the pitch, replacing Conor Bradley at right back.
Alexis Mac Allister is eyeing a spot alongside Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, while Cody Gakpo could come in for Darwin Núñez in the front three.
Liverpool's Motivation
With City's poor form, Liverpool sees this as a golden opportunity to deal a crippling blow to the title race. Expect them to approach the game with a fierce pace, pressing relentlessly from the get-go. While a draw might not be the end of the world, the Reds will be pushing fiercely for a win, given the implications for the league standings.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Premier League
Manchester City's Struggles
City's season has seen a drastic downturn following an impressive streak of 14 unbeaten matches. Their descent began with a Carabao Cup win over Tottenham, but losses to Bournemouth (2-1), Sporting Lisbon (4-1), and Brighton (2-1) followed. The humiliating 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at home last weekend wasn't their last stumble, as they conceded a late 3-3 draw to Feyenoord in midweek, underscoring their ongoing defensive issues.
Manchester City's Injury Report
Key midfielder Rodri is out for the season, and his replacement Mateo Kovačić is also unavailable. Oscar Bobb is ruled out, and Jeremy Doku remains a doubt.
Kyle Walker and Rúben Dias, who have been below par, may find themselves on the bench again, with John Stones potentially returning to the lineup. Kevin De Bruyne is likely to lead the offence, as İlkay Gündoğan fills Rodri's role in midfield.
Manchester City's Fighting Spirit
City will be playing to avoid a defeat at all costs. Manager Pep Guardiola might prioritize defensive solidity, as the team's confidence and morale are at an all-time low. Expect a cautious approach, with numbers bolstering their backline and limited risk-taking in attack.
Key Stats
- Liverpool's dominating form: They've won 17 of their 19 matches this season, scoring 44 goals[6]
- Liverpool's slight edge against City in their last 10 Premier League meetings: 3 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses[7]
- Manchester City's recent losses: Five defeats in the last six matches, resulting in 17 conceded goals[8]
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Final Verdict
City's underperforming form and defensive woes increase the likelihood of a Liverpool victory. The Reds' high-powered attack should prove too much for City's vulnerable backline.
Predictive Bets:
- Liverpool win at 2.10 odds
- Liverpool win and Over 2.5 goals at 2.90 odds
- Mohamed Salah to score anytime at 2.30 odds
Author's Bio:James O'Connor is a football analyst who specializes in the tactics of the PSL and Premier League. He holds a UEFA A coaching license and has previously worked with various clubs in analysis roles. You can catch up with his expert insights on Twitter at @footy_analysis.
Footnote:[1] Based on data compiled from 2015–2025 league meetings[2] Data from their last 10 league matches between 2018–2023[3] Includes UCL, FA Cup, and League Cup games[4] Data from a series of matches from 1966–2023[5] Leagues: Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Champions League[6] Data based on the 19 matches played until December 6, 2022 (includes all competitions)[7] Data based on the last 10 league matches between 2018–2023[8] Data from the last six matches between 2021 and 2022 (includes all competitions)
- Liverpool's scintillating form in the Premier League has seen them secure 10 wins in 12 games and remain undefeated in the Champions League, with their only slip-up a 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
- Manchester City's season has taken a downturn, with five losses in their last six matches, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at home last weekend and a late 3-3 draw to Feyenoord in midweek.
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be without key players Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas, Diogo Jota, and Federico Chiesa for the upcoming fixture, while City will be missing key midfielder Rodri, with Mateo Kovačić also unavailable.
- Liverpool views the upcoming game against Manchester City as an opportunity to deal a crippling blow to the title race, planning to press relentlessly and approach the game with a fierce pace.
- Manchester City, on the other hand, will be playing to avoid a defeat at all costs, prioritizing defensive solidity due to their low confidence and morale.
- In the author's bio, it is mentioned that James O'Connor, the football analyst, holds a UEFA A coaching license and has previously worked with various clubs in analysis roles, focusing on the tactics of the PSL and Premier League.
- With Liverpool's dominating form and City's vulnerable backline, sports analysis predicts a Liverpool victory, as well as Mohamed Salah scoring anytime during the match at odds of 2.30.
